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Superjetin
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2012
Posts: 25
Location: Woodstock, GA
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 Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:45 am Post subject: Top Speed '85 Westy? |
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Can anyone tell me what the top speed of an 85 Westy with the stock 1.9l would be?
I just had a new/rebuilt engine installed and lately it seams to be rather underpowered on the highway. I live in Atlanta and even cruising on the highway is now becoming quite a chore. I have the van floored just to go 70mph and on any uphill or minor incline, I almost have to downshift to third to keep it above 55mph.
I bought my van from a guy who let it sit for 2 years. I've been changing out fuel filters every 100 miles or so and the rusty residue seen in the filters is becoming less and less visible. Yesterday I put a new fuel filter in and immediately drove it to my mechanics shop 40 miles away. On this trip is when I noticed the extreme lack in power. I know my mechanic is going to tell me it's a dirty fuel filter again but I think it may be something more serious. (bad ground wire? Temp Sensor2? Fuel pressure regulator? Plugged injector?)
On the highway when your foot is steady on the throttle it almost feels like it may be electrical as you can feel the engine "fluttering" like maybe its a fuel injector misfiring? If you keep you foot steady it will eventually clear out but then you've lost so much speed you need to downshift to 3rd.
My van is at the shop now. They are VW specialists but I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced the same kind of problem and if so, what fixed yours? Thanks |
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chojinchef
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Joined: February 17, 2011
Posts: 1539
Location: Central Massachusetts
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Top Speed 85' Westy? |
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| Superjetin wrote: |
Can anyone tell me what the top speed of an 85 Westy with the stock 1.9l would be?
I just had a new/rebuilt engine installed and lately it seams to be rather underpowered on the highway. I live in Atlanta and even cruising on the highway is now becoming quite a chore. I have the van floored just to go 70mph and on any uphill or minor incline, I almost have to downshift to third to keep it above 55mph.
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Not to be the bearer of bad news, but that's about what you can expect. They are 82 hp pushing a vehicle that weighs 4000 pounds with the aerodynamics of a brick.
These were designed when the national speed limit was 55. 70mph is pushing the limits of that rebuilt motor of yours.
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Superjetin
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Joined: February 21, 2012
Posts: 25
Location: Woodstock, GA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:10 am Post subject: |
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thanks. I don't normally drive it that fast but lately, even 60-65 mph is becoming rather difficult to maintain. It's not running hot, loosing coolant or burning oil, just feels low on power and getting worse the more I drive it.
I had the same "herky-jerky" hesitation problem a few months ago and my mechanic changed out the fuel filter and cleaned the mass air flow sensor. (said it was dirty) The problem went away for about 200 miles..now its back.
fuel pump is less than 1 year old |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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insyncro
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Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Timing, fuel delivery and air delivery should be checked and adjusted as needed.
A 1.9 is a lazy dog on a good day. |
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bmdhacks
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Joined: June 15, 2013
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:51 am Post subject: |
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On a related question, what RPM do you shoot for when cruising on the freeway? Is cruising at 4000rpm for long periods of time going to result in any more problems then cruising at 3000?
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Jake de Villiers
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Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:59 am Post subject: |
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You should be able to do 70 mph easily on flat ground with plenty of pedal left. You'll need to track down the issue and fix it.
I'm wondering if the pistons were replaced with the low compression Brazilian pistons? They would certainly drop the power output noticeably.
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
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Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:24 am Post subject: |
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what size tires are you running? if bigger than oem then your top end will be effected. add in an incline (didn't say hill) and a headwind and you can suffer some speed loss.
~4,000 rpms is fine. it's better to have the motor turning happily than lugging and struggling. better fluids delivery and less fuel..
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17122
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:56 am Post subject: |
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The area around Atlanta is not exactly flat like other places. Those rolling interstate hills look mild, but really add a load. Have them check for full throttle. Maybe it is not adjusted properly.
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wolfej1
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Joined: August 15, 2005
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Location: North Royalton, Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:59 am Post subject: |
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I have to concur with the folks who mention that something is not right. If I chose to do so, I could cruise at 70 mph in 82 Westy fully loaded on the flat with a decent amount of pedal left. On a long incline say 5% grade I could still keep it at 60 or so - but my CHT would be getting up there near 450 so I don't do it. This is all without ever flooring the gas pedal.....
Something must be wrong on your rig as you should easily be able to do what I have just described in your 85.....
my $.02
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rubbachicken
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Joined: October 05, 2004
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Location: socal
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| Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:37 am Post subject: |
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on flat ground lucy used to be able to manage 70 mph, weighing in at 5300lbs
like mentioned before check air fuel and timing
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morymob
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Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 4:40 am Post subject: |
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| Definately a problem,3'84's and even the auto one did very well,what's comp #'s, also tire dia very imp, i stay 26" or less, larger kills it. Fact suggested settings NOT where they run better, all around tweeking of timing, afm etc will max it. My last driver, '84GL of 12 yrs + proved even plug gap was important,mpg's mostly. |
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Phishman068
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Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 1867
Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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grejon
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Joined: February 06, 2009
Posts: 24
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:25 am Post subject: |
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I have an 84 1.9 automatic and I live just down the road from you. You are proably familiar with the drive up 575 to Blue Ridge. There are many long inclines on that route where my van slowes down to 45 or so. It's just normal, no big deal. On flats I can cruise at 70 if I need to. I run 15 inch wheels.
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JudoJeff
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Joined: May 24, 2013
Posts: 1179
Location: Near Springfield, MA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:36 am Post subject: |
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If you've had to change out the fuel filter that often, I suspect the engine isn't getting the fuel it needs. The hesitation, etc also suggests that.
I'd drain the fuel tank, rinse it out, and try again. I assume you're using the Bosch large fuel filter, not the smaller square one.
Yes, the 1.9L is not high power, but on the flats you shouldn't have to floor it to get to 60.
I'm putting in a Bostig conversion, have you considered that remedy? |
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chojinchef
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Joined: February 17, 2011
Posts: 1539
Location: Central Massachusetts
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:08 am Post subject: |
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| Phishman068 wrote: |
I did 113mph in my '85 westy out on bonneville salt flats. The speedo pegged but the GPS kept going.
Yes, I was running a zetec, but still..... any engine should be capable of any speed it will just take you forever to get there. |
And today's brass ball award goes to . . .
Cant help but think - One gust of wind.
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Its a mistress; an expensive, whiney, needy bitch of a mistress. She is a chunky, dirty girl with bad skin, little motivation and yet she always makes me smile. She sure has been around before shacking up with me. She has a direct line to my wallet, plays with my emotions, is consistantly jovial yet with a sarcastic and sardonic side, is consistant in her inconsistancy, and every once in a while gives me a great ride and a fantastic memory. |
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17122
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
any engine should be capable of any speed it will just take you forever to get there.
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That is not exactly true. Mathematically if you calculate tire diameter, gearing, engine rpm, you'd be correct, but certainly above 100 mph, aero dynamic drag comes into play. You need power to push through that barrier not time as suggested.
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benandmj
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Joined: October 29, 2012
Posts: 550
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:24 am Post subject: |
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Hey Super
Sounds like something isn't right. You should try to come to the get together next Sunday at mellow mushroom in sandy springs. I'm sure someone there with a 1.9 will swap vans to see if there is a noticeable difference. Lots of knowledgable folks too.
More info here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392960&start=40
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joseph928
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Joined: September 22, 2011
Posts: 2114
Location: flagstaff az.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:36 am Post subject: low power |
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| insyncro wrote: |
Timing, fuel delivery and air delivery should be checked and adjusted as needed.
A 1.9 is a lazy dog on a good day. |
Air in air out fuel in fuel out. insyncro is right. Drop your tank and do it right. Also check air filter and your cat when they start to clog up you go slower, happened to me! 
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